Days Out NI
Animals & Farms Lisburn

MJS Exotics (Lisburn)

Eyeball geckos, tarantulas and bearded dragons up close — a free rainy-day stop for reptile-mad kids.

1 photo
OpenOpen year-round during shop trading hours…
EntryFree
LisburnAnimals
Get directionsOfficial website
30 minutesHow long
4+Best for
Indoor + OutBarns & fields
Check aheadParking
FreePrice

MJS Exotics (Lisburn) — Eyeball geckos, tarantulas and bearded dragons up close — a free rainy-day stop for reptile-mad kids.

  • What you’ll see: Geckos, bearded dragons, skinks, tegus, tortoises, snakes, frogs, tarantulas, jumping spiders, praying mantis and small furry pets.
  • Cost: Free to browse during shop hours (it's a pet shop, not a paid attraction).
  • Best for: Roughly 4 and up — kids who love reptiles and minibeasts.
  • Food: No visitor cafe; cafes and shops nearby in Lisburn.
  • Opening: Open year-round during shop trading hours; hours aren't published online, so call before you go.
  • Dogs: It's an animal shop, so leave dogs at home or in the car.
Plan your visit

Geckos, dragons and tarantulas at eye level

The draw here is getting close to animals most kids never see in the flesh. Look for geckos, bearded dragons, skinks, tegus, tortoises and snakes among the reptiles, plus frogs, tarantulas, jumping spiders and praying mantis. There are small furry pets in the mix too. The staff keep and sell these animals, so a polite question often gets you a friendly answer about what you're looking at. It's hands-off viewing through glass rather than a petting experience.

Free to browse Indoor Reptiles Tarantulas Rainy-day stop Lisburn
Good to know before you go:

Many farms are seasonal and busiest in spring lambing and the school holidays, so it’s worth checking opening times before you travel. These are working livestock farms, so pet dogs usually aren’t allowed (assistance dogs excepted), and a few take cash only — so bring a little with you.

Before you set off

What to bring

  • 👢Wellies or sturdy shoesFarmyards and paddocks get muddy, especially after rain.
  • 🥪Snacks or a picnicThere’s usually a café, but little ones get peckish between the animals.
  • 📷A cameraBottle-feeding a lamb and the pedal-tractor grins are worth keeping.
  • 💷A bit of cashSome farms are cash only, and animal-feed cups are pocket-money priced.
Good to know

Everything before you go

Cost
Free to browse during shop hours (it's a pet shop, not a paid attraction)
Opening / season
Open year-round during shop trading hours; hours aren't published online, so call before you go
Best for ages
Roughly 4 and up — kids who love reptiles and minibeasts
What you'll see
Geckos, bearded dragons, skinks, tegus, tortoises, snakes, frogs, tarantulas, jumping spiders, praying mantis and small furry pets
Food
No visitor cafe; cafes and shops nearby in Lisburn
Toilets
Not a visitor facility — plan toilet stops elsewhere
Parking
Parking at Riverside Commercial Centre; check on arrival
Dogs
It's an animal shop, so leave dogs at home or in the car
Accessibility
Indoor shop floor; contact the shop about access if needed
How long to allow
15 to 30 minutes
Address
6 Riverside Commercial Centre, Lisburn BT27 5EA
Questions

Before you go

How much does it cost?
Free to browse during shop hours (it's a pet shop, not a paid attraction)
What ages is it good for?
Roughly 4 and up — kids who love reptiles and minibeasts
When is it open?
Open year-round during shop trading hours; hours aren't published online, so call before you go
Can we bring the dog?
It's an animal shop, so leave dogs at home or in the car
Is there anywhere to eat?
No visitor cafe; cafes and shops nearby in Lisburn
Getting there

MJS Exotics (Lisburn) is at 6 Riverside Commercial Centre, Lisburn BT27 5EA. Parking at Riverside Commercial Centre; check on arrival. Tap below for directions.

Directions on Google MapsOfficial website See it on our map
Nearby

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The story

About MJS Exotics (Lisburn)

MJS Exotics is an independent exotic pet shop with branches in Lisburn and Lurgan. The Lisburn store sits at 6 Riverside Commercial Centre, BT27 5EA, and stocks a wide spread of reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, birds and small mammals.

Alongside the animals they sell vivariums, lighting, heating, substrates and live food, and offer extras like pet sitting and home delivery. It carries the same animal-viewing quirk as Logan's of Cookstown — a shop you can wander round to look at creatures you'd otherwise rarely meet.